Early French gold single-handed verge oignon watch Circa 1700

Gold oignon watch by Balthazar Martinot II
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An extremely rare and early French gold single-handed verge oignon pocket watch, circa 1700. Very early verge movement, verge bridge in very rare design with the representation of musicians. Fire-gilt dial with white enamel cartouches and blue Roman hours, early central winding, the hand is missing. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Weight: 235 g
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Signed: Balthazar Martinot II A Paris
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Oignon watches with a gold case are extremely rare. In total less than ten pieces are known until today.
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Balthazar Martinot II is without a doubt the most famous son of a great watchmaking family. He was born in Rouen as the oldest son of Balthazar Martinot I and his wife Catherine Hubert in 1636 and died in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1714. Martinot had already lived in Paris before 1683. He inherited the title of a watchmaker from his father-in-law Pierre Belon after his death and was later appointed watchmaker to Queen Anne of Austria. An inventory in 1700 revealed that Martinot possessed the largest stock of watches in Paris. Five years earlier he had already organised a magnificent tombola of watches at Court with his colleague Nicholas Gribelin. Among Martinot’s customers were the most important members of the society such as King Louis XIV and the Dauphin, as well as many of the wealthiest aristocrats. Today Martinot’s watches can be seen in the world’s most famous museums, including the Louvre, the Musée de Cluny and the Musée de Pau, as well as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.